Final decision: Hillsborough County schools will reopen classrooms Aug. 31
During a contentious emergency meeting this morning, the school board agreed with the superintendent's recommendation to backtrack on their August 6 vote and reopen brick-and-mortar schools on August 31.
State seeks to fast-track school reopening case, even as appeals court reinstates stay
Locked in a legal slugfest with teachers unions over a state mandate that schools reopen this month amid the coronavirus pandemic, Gov. Ron DeSantis and Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran are seeking to speed up the case by skipping over an appellate court and going directly to the Florida Supreme Court.
Pasco kindergartner makes it home safely after wandering away from school
Shelby Perry and Anthony Earl walked Kellis to Fox Hollow Elementary for his fourth day of kindergarten.
Hillsborough County calls last-minute meeting to reconsider reopening schools
Hillsborough County parents and teachers are preparing to go back to in-person classes Monday, but a judge lifted a ruling Thursday that now allows schools statewide to remain closed, giving school leaders one last chance to reconsider.
Hillsborough parents prep for return to schools, despite uncertainty
Parents in Hillsborough County are preparing for the start of in-person learning next week, even as the school board called an emergency meeting to discuss how to proceed with its reopening plan.
Judge lifts stay that kept school-reopening order in effect
A Leon County circuit judge Thursday lifted a stay of his earlier ruling that a state order requiring schools to reopen in August is unconstitutional. In response, Hillsborough County announced an emergency meeting for Friday morning.
President's son weighs in on Florida school reopening battle
As legal wrangling over the reopening of brick-and-mortar schools continues, the state's defense this week gained new political muscle: Donald Trump Jr.
Colleges crackdown on parties during pandemic, suspend students, fraternities
For better or worse, ‘huge-parties’ have long been a part of the college-experience and old habits die hard. Colleges and universities across the state are cracking down on these sorts of “large-gatherings” in this new era of COVID-19.
As students return to schools, so does coronavirus
With classes resuming across the Bay Area, districts are encountering their first cases of COVID-19. A student at Fivay High School tested positive yesterday, the first case for Pasco County schools.
Judge asked to lift stay on school-reopening ruling
After winning an initial round in the closely watched legal fight, teachers unions have asked a Leon County circuit judge to lift a stay on his ruling that a state mandate to reopen brick-and-mortar schools is unconstitutional.
Students show support for teacher whose request to work from home was denied
Students are rallying around a Hillsborough County teacher after his request to work from home was denied by the school district.
Pasco, Polk counties post number of COVID-19 cases in schools online
School is back in session and many families in our region are concerned about COVID-19 cases on campus. It’s the reason two area school districts are now posting that data online.
Despite judge's ruling, no changes to Hillsborough back-to-school plan -- yet
Florida commissioner of education Richard Corcoran is standing by his emergency order requiring schools to reopen after a judge ruled that order unconstitutional. The state is appealing the judge's ruling.
Suspensions, arrests for university students who flout safety measures
Florida university officials have started suspending fraternities and punishing students who flout coronavirus-safety measures, as schools grapple with cases of the virus at the beginning of the fall semester.
Dean to University of Tampa students: Host a party, get suspended
In a letter sent out to all students Friday, the University of Tampa’s dean of students laid out a simple message: Host a "large gathering" on or off campus and you’ll be ”interimly suspended” from the university.
State unpublishes report tracking COVID-19 cases on school campuses
More than 700 coronavirus cases have been linked to K-12 schools and higher-education institutions over the course of two weeks as students and employees began returning to campuses across the state, according to a Florida Department of Health report made public Monday, then later deleted.
Tuscaloosa closes bars after University of Alabama reports more than 500 COVID-19 cases last week
At least 531 students, faculty, and staff on the University of Alabama's main campus in Tuscaloosa have been infected with the virus, officials reported.
Six COVID-19 cases reported at Pinellas County schools on first day back
On the first day back to classes, Pinellas County Public Schools announced three students and three employees across five schools have tested positive for COVID-19.
Florida's order to reopen brick-and-mortar schools is unconstitutional, judge rules
“The order is unconstitutional to the extent it arbitrarily disregards safety, denies local school boards decision-making with respect to reopening brick-and-mortar schools, and conditions funding on an approved reopening plan with a start date in August,” the judge wrote.
Liberty University official says Jerry Falwell Jr. resigning, but Falwell says he's not
A senior Liberty University official says Jerry Falwell Jr. has resigned from his leadership post at the evangelical Virginia college.